The November meeting is just two short days away and the topic this month is Conklin Pens! Of course, there will be snacks, new pen sharing, poetry, repair discussions and much more. So bundle up, and head on over to our location (see the map on the right side of this page).

The September meeting had an attendance of 20 persons, and featured a discussion of Victorian Pens and Pencils, as well as a poetry reading about the purchase of a Victorian pen in Key West! Thank you to all the members who brought examples from their collections.

The September meeting is taking place on Friday September 28 at 6:00 pm. Please note new time!!

The Theme for the Meeting is Victorian Pens and Pencils. Please bring examples to show and tell. As usual, we will also see members recent finds, welcome new members, hear poetry, receive copies of our award winning newsletter, and assorted other fun activities.

Our September Pen Club meeting has been moved forward to September 28th due to a number of regulars attending the once a year “Pelikan Hub” meeting scheduled for Friday September 21st. At our last meeting we discussed and approved the change of meeting date. Please make a note on your calendar.

NIBS! We all know that the most important part of any fountain pen is the nib, right? Some may disagree, but for all of you nib enthusiasts, this month’s topic will be “How Fountain Pen Nibs Are Made And Crafted” Frank will give a presentation and it will be a good one!

Bring examples of your favorite nibs (inked so we can try them out :)), as well as any unique ones that you may have.

Hopefully we will have another poem from Verla this month and an update on the Filigree pen from John, as well.

The July meeting’s theme was Montblanc Pens and their history. Francis put on an excellent slide presentation of the history of what we now know as Montblanc. I have the slides and will be downloading them shortly. After the presentation, many members showed a few of their pens and collections. Here are just a few photos.

Don’t forget, our next meeting is on August 17th at 6:30. See you there!

The July Meeting will be on Friday July 20 at 6:30 pm. Location and Direction on the right side of this page.

The theme for this month’s meeting is Montblanc Pens, Pencils, and Ephemera. Please bring any examples and share them! Francis will do a short presentation and we can sort through any examples and discuss this long lasting, and somewhat controversial Company.

The June 2018 Meeting will be this Friday (June 15) at 6:30 at the Presbyterian Homes location (see map and address on right side of this page). This month’s theme is Third Tier Pens. These are thought of, historically, as the fountain pens that were less expensive and often (but not always) made of inferior materials such as steel nibs and cheaper plastic. Sheaffers, Parker, Wahl Eversharp, and Waterman, among others were considered First tier pens, and these less expensive makers such as Arnold, Wearever, Majestic, and many, many others are often lumped into the “third tier” category. It is a murky category and often open to debate, as some are actually of higher quality.

Please bring a few examples if you have them for show and tell! We look forward to seeing you!

Friday May 18th marked our May Meeting. Many thanks to Randy and the Presbyterian Homes for hosting us each month!

John Buettner treated us all to an interesting video on “Lost Wax Casting” and then discussed the techniques he will utilize to develop and produce a PENS silver filigree fountain pen for those members who are interested. The project is exciting and the next step will be to agree on a design and nibs. Here are a few photos of John and some of his equipment, tools and materials.

Also, Verla Klassen, our member poet, read her monthly poem and this month’s was very appropriate to our growing group ~

The desire
For another fountain pen
Arrives with determination
Often unexpectedly
At a flea market
An antique shop
An estate sale
A pen show
A website
To have a few triggers
The focus strikes
All possibilities
Vie for attention
The type of nib
The filling system
Size, material used
Color, design
Our unique intrigue
Comparing the find
To an existing collection
How and where it fits
Images of the most suitable ink
And its use and purpose
Other than fulfilling
The need for acquisition
The history and name of the pen
Create topics of interactions
With like minded collectors
Indecision often equals loss
Finding solace from others
Acting on a find
Gratifying satisfaction
Meeting a challenging restoration
So many ways
To interact with fellow enthusiasts
That make up
This special community

Verla Klassen 5-18-18

Finally, Joel Moline, as you know, is an accomplished artist and ceramicist. This June he will be the featured Artist with a month long exhibition at The Arts Center of Saint Peter

You can link to the Center above. There will be ceramics, drawings, and prints by Joel. As you know, Joel uses fountain pens for some of his work, which is stunning. And, on June 23rd, from 2 to 5 pm, there will be a special reception in honor of Joel and his wife – thus the theme of the month long exhibition – 50 Years Of Art and Marriage.

If you get the chance, what a great opportunity to enjoy the drive down to St. Peter and support Joel and see his work.

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P. E. N. S.

Welcome to the Web home of P. E.N.S., which stands for the Pen Enthusiasts Northern Society, a long standing Vintage Fountain Pen collectors group, based in the cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Please check back here periodically for copies of the monthly newsletter ~ Signature ~ as well as Meeting Announcements, Photographs, an all things PENS!